ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Revival of 5 fertilizer units would increase urea production by 63.5 LMTPA: Shri D.V. Sadananda Gowda
Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri D.V. Sadananda Gowda, while giving a written reply to a question on reopening and re-modernising of closed fertilizer PSUs, in Rajya Sabha today, stated that Government of India has decided to revive Barauni unit of Hindustan Fertilizer Corporation Limited  and Gorakhpur, Sindri, Talcher& Ramagundam units of Fertilizer Corporation of India Limited  on nomination route by setting up new Ammonia Urea plants of 12.7 LMTPA capacity at each location.
Barauni unit of HFCL and Sindri and Gorakhpur units of FCIL are being revived by M/s. Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited , a Joint Venture of National Thermal Power corporation Limited , Coal India Limited , Indian Oil Corporation Limited , FCIL& HFCL.
Talcher unit is being revived by M/s. Talcher Fertilizers Limited , a Joint Venture of Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Limited , CIL, Gas Authority of India Limited  & FCIL. Ramagundam unit by M/s. Ramagundam Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited , a Joint Venture of Engineers India Limited , National Fertilizers Limited & FCIL.
The details of the expected commissioning dates of the above units are as follows:
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|
Units
|
|
Expected commissioning
date
|
|
Barauni 
|
|
May, 2021
|
|
Ramagundam 
|
|
December, 2019
|
|
Gorakhpur 
|
|
February, 2021
|
|
Sindri 
|
|
May, 2021
|
|
Talcher 
|
|
September, 2023
The Minister further stated that after the commissioning of these five units, the total production of urea would be increased by 63.5 Lakh Metric Tonne Per Annum . The excess demand over indigenous production would be met through imports.
In a written reply to another question in Rajya Sabha today, Shri Gowda stated that the usable assets, townships, hospitals, etc., are being handed over to the new Joint Venture Companies for use. Further, old plants of HFCL and FCIL have been sold through e-auction by M/s. Metal Scrap Trade Corporation Limited , under the supervision of M/s. Projects & Development India Limited , as approved by the CCEA/Cabinet.There is no proposal to hand over the assets of HFCL and FCIL to local State Governments, the Minister added.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Union Minister Shri Bhagwant Khuba launches NSEFI’s Pan-India Rooftop Solar Awareness Campaign
Shri Bhagwant Khuba, Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy launched the Pan-India Rooftop Solar Awareness Campaign in an event at Bidar, Karnataka in the presence of Shri V Sunil Kumar, Minister of Energy & Kannada Culture, Government of Karnataka, Shri Sunil Kumar, Chief General Manager, NTPC Ramagundam, Shri Pranav R Mehta, Chairman, NSEFI, Shri Subrahmanyam Pulipaka, CEO, NSEFI, Sri Chandrakant Baswaraj Patil, Chairman, KREDL and Shri Govinda Reddy, IAS, DC, Bidar.
During the launch ceremony held yesterday, Shri Khuba said that without the involvement of people, no big idea can succeed. He added that Rooftop Solar provides an opportunity to the common person to make his contribution towards Global Warming & Climate Change. He further said that this campaign titled “GHAR KE UPAR SOLAR IS SUPER” shall aim at mobilizing local government, citizens, RWAs, and Municipalities to spread awareness of Solar Rooftop. Shri Khuba spoke about growth of RE sector in India.
Highlighting Panchamrit targets set by Modiji, Shri Khuba said that ministry is working towards achieving target of 500 GW of non-fossil by 2030. He added that rooftop solar will play major role and Tier-2 & Tier-3 cities offer maximum potential in achieving this target. He said that Karnataka alone has the potential of 1 GW rooftop solar. The minister highlighted that MNRE is providing 40% of subsidy for households to install solar. Hence he urged public to install rooftop by utilizing subsidy from central government. Shri Khuba said that he has ordered for installing Rooftop solar at his residence in Bidar.
Shri V Sunil Kumar shared RE plans of Karnataka government. He highlighted PM-KUSUM scheme and urged farmers to utilize the benefits being offered by MNRE and state government.
In this scheme farmers will be given 30% subsidy each by centre and state to install solar pumps.
NSEFI, with the support of the German Solar Association  and the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development  under the Sequa KVP Programme, is launching a 3 year long, Pan India Rooftop Awareness Program aimed at increasing awareness of Solar Rooftops among 100 Indian towns and cities, especially tier 2 and tier 3 towns/cities.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 Vaccination Update
More than 26.69 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 1.05 crore doses still available with States/UTs to be administered
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In addition, the Govt. of India has also been facilitating direct procurement of vaccines by the States/UTs. Vaccination is an integral pillar of the comprehensive strategy of Government of India for containment and management of the pandemic, along with Test, Track, Treat and COVID Appropriate Behaviour.
Implementation of the Liberalized and Accelerated Phase-3 Strategy of Covid-19 Vaccination has started from 1st May 2021.
Under the Strategy, in every month 50% of the total Central Drugs Laboratory  cleared vaccine doses of any manufacturer would be procured by Govt. of India. It would continue to make these doses available to the State Govts totally free of cost as was being done earlier.
More than 26.69 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far, through Government of India  and through direct state procurement category.
Of this, the total consumption, including wastages is 25,67,21,069 doses .
More than 1.05 crore  COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Furthermore, more than 47,43,580 vaccine doses are in the pipeline and will be received by the States/UTs within the next 3 days.
Ministry of Education
IISER Kolkata and Science City Kolkata presented two public lectures by leaders of Indian Science and Technology
Kolkata, 18th January, 2020
To create visionary leaders for the national higher education system, the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India has initiated a Leadership for Academicians Program  in 2018. After the successful implementation of this program in 15 different institutions across the country in 2018-19, the MHRD has launched the second phase of the program in 2019-20. The pool of attendees typically consists of acclaimed researchers holding positions of responsibility like Dean, HoD, etc. and who are likely to be the next generation of leaders for our institutions of higher education. The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research  Kolkata successfully executed the LEAP 2018-19, and is currently conducting LEAP 2020. This year IISER Kolkata is partnering with the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore for the foreign component of the program.
As a part of LEAP 2020, IISER Kolkata, in collaboration with the Science City, Kolkata, organised two public lectures by extremely eminent speakers on Saturday, 18th January 2020. Dr. Shekhar Mande, the Director General of CSIR spoke on “Balancing blue skies and applied research – the role of leadership”, and Dr. Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman of AICTE spoke on “Building networks for a vibrant academic environment in India – Policy and the role of institutions”.
CG/CB
(Visitor Counter : 13
Ministry of Steel
NMDC releases Standard Bidding Document for Turnkey Works
NMDC releases Standard Bidding Document for Turnkey Works today at its Head Office in Hyderabad. The mining major has ambitious and capital-intensive Projects lined up and this Standard Bidding Document will ensure greater efficiency in awarding, executing and monitoring contracts.
NMDC has reviewed its existing Standard Bidding Document and updated it with best practices adopted across the industry. The Standard Bidding Document makes Project Management and Monitoring, Scheduling of Work, Price Evaluation, Payment Advice, Flagging of Issues and Dispute Resolution simpler and easier, thereby enhancing ease of doing business with NMDC.
The CPSE has prepared a comprehensive and all-encompassing document that would serve as a model for all its turnkey projects. Enabling geo-tagging of milestones, this initiative will boost the digital environment at NMDC.
Commenting on the release, Shri Sumit Deb, CMD, NMDC said that the Standard Bidding Document will help NMDC retain and comply with 4 axioms of Public Procurement - Transparency, Equity, Fairness, and Competitiveness. With this kind of document in place, NMDC will become a global entity that the world will aspire to work with.
The initiative to release the Standard Bidding Document comes at a crucial business point for NMDC. It will reduce the preparation time of tender documents and enhance confidence and comfort levels of the bidder, said Shri Dilip Kumar Mohanty, Director , NMDC.
Speaking about the document, Shri Somnath Nandi, Director  said that the Standard Bidding Document will ease our exercise for tenders and contracts and also improve efficiency and decision- making process in the organization. This approach will reduce time in awarding contracts and is to be followed judiciously.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID - 19 Vaccination Update - Day 530
India’s cumulative vaccination coverage crosses 197.60 Crore
More than 12 lakh Vaccine doses administered today till 7 pm
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 197.60 Crore  today. More than 12 lakh  Vaccine Doses have been administered till 7 pm today. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight.
The cumulative coverage of vaccine doses, segregated based on population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10408930
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
10065430
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
5696412
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18423887
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
17626050
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
10256250
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
36656801
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
23394607
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
60427434
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
48763009
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
558247916
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
501352010
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
2911714
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
203445063
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
193450958
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
2551515
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
127256942
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
120828309
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
24259333
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
1014866973
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
915480373
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
45675224
|
|
Total
|
|
1976022570
Today’s achievement in the vaccination exercise, segregated by population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Date: 29th June, 2022 
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
57
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1605
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
20718
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
176
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1370
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
68963
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
81283
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
200183
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
30824
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
91281
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
33187
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
268676
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
60761
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
5130
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
61716
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
30992
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
5546
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
42967
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
244404
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
156203
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
667798
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
425838
|
|
Total
|
|
1249839
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
Prime Minister's Office
PM pays tributes to Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Chandra Shekhar Azad on their Jayanti
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has paid tributes to Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Chandra Shekhar Azad on their Jayanti.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said,
"भारत मां के दो वीर सपूत लोकमान्य बाल गंगाधर तिलक और चंद्रशेखर आजाद को उनकी जन्म-जयंती पर शत-शत नमन।"
Ministry of Heavy Industries
Innovative Technology in Indian Automotive Sector
India is the 5th largest car manufacturer, 7th largest commercial vehicle manufacturer and largest manufacturer of two wheelers in the world. Indian auto industry has embraced global automotive technologies in vehicle as well as auto component industry and consequently, uses innovative manufacturing processes which are more people oriented as compared to a high degree of automation which is prevalent elsewhere in the world.
The need forinnovative technology isassuminggreat importancedue to rapidly changing product technologies in the automotive industry, depleting fossil fuel resources, high import cost of fuel, issues of environmental degradation and climate change. Switching over from conventional IC engine based vehicles to new technologies like electric, hybrid, fuel cells is essential. The Indian automotive industry needs to develop technologies like Lithium Ion Batteries, electric motors for automotive applications and battery management systems. Government of India rolled out National Mission on Electric Mobility, 2013 with the objective of developing electric mobility in mission mode. As a follow up, FAME  Scheme was launched in 2015 for providing incentives to promote demand creation, establishment of EV ecosystem and infrastructure and development of technology through R&D. Second phase of this scheme , envisages to give a boost to EV industry with several interventions on the demand and supply side, including R&D efforts.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy  is associated with research and development of alternative fuels for vehicles in the country. It has been intimated by the MNRE that they are supporting broad based research and development programme for development of new and renewable energy technologies including Hydrogen and fuel cells.
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has made it mandatory for the vehicle manufacturers in general and passenger car manufacturers in particular to comply with the standards for safety of drivers and passengers. These standards are technically aligned as much as possible with the international standards - UN ECE/Global Technical Regulations.
Department of Heavy Industry supports technological interventions for the automobile industry from time to time through grants given for product and testing infrastructure development through the Development Council for Automobile and Allied Industries  funds to Automotive Research Association of India , Pune and academic institutions.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Babul Supriyo, in reply to written questionsin the Lok Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM extends best wishes to PM of Japan for Tokyo Olympics
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has extended his best wishes to the Prime Minister of Japan,Yoshihide Suga for Tokyo Olympics2020.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, "Wishing PM @sugawitter and 🇯🇵 the very best for #Tokyo2020 @Olympics and @Paralympics. We look forward to a season of incredible performances by the world's best sportspersons! @Tokyo2020"
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
National Zoological Park celebrates World Wildlife Day with National Museum of Natural History
National Zoological Park, New Delhi  celebrated World Wildlife Day on 3rd March, 2023 in collaboration with National Museum of Natural History. On the occasion Additional Director General  Shri Bivansh Ranjan said the “World Wildlife Day” underlies the awareness of the threats that wild flora and fauna faced in their daily lives. He said the theme for this year is "Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation". It will allow us to celebrate all conservation efforts, from intergovernmental to local scale. The theme will provide the opportunity to highlight the people who are making a difference as well as to celebrate the bridge that CITES has been for these partnerships to form, making a significant contribution to sustainability, wildlife and biodiversity conservation, he added.
This year World Wildlife Day falls on the 50th anniversary of CITES .
Diverse sessions were conducted at National Zoological Park where discussion was based on Wildlife Crime, Public Participation, Role of Zoo in Conservation and Mission LiFE. The awareness session was followed by Zoo walk and Logo making Competition.
Ministry of Culture
Inauguration of three New attractions in the Children’s Science Park at Mumbai
Mumbai, 22 April 2023
Today on the occasion of Earth Day Neharu Science Centre, Mumbai added 3 more exhibits to already impressive lineup of exhibits in the Science Park. These exhibits are A Giant Lever, a Giant from the backyard – a larger than life Mantis Model, and a Perspective House – a specially designed house confusing to eyes.
Dr. A. P. Jayaraman, former Nuclear Scientist and President, National Centre for Science Communicators unveiled these models.
Dr. Jayaraman appreciated the efforts of NSCM and told that these exhibits are engineering marvel. He connected the exhibits with real life situations and told students to keep balance around the fulcrum they need to choose for life. They must choose the right fulcrum always. The perspective house is a feat of art and science fusion. He also described the beauty and characteristics of praying mantis a great bio machine in nature which is a great teacher for us.
With the addition of these new exhibits, NSCM aim to enhance the learning experience for children and thereby corroborating our continuous commitment to further make science learning even more accessible and exciting. A brief of each added new exhibits is given below:
The Giant Liver exhibit will allow children to explore the lever, which is a simple tool that uses effort and a fulcrum to lift or move objects that are otherwise difficult to lift, in a fun-filled and interactive way.
The huge  Mantis Model exhibit will showcase the incredible design and agility of the praying mantis, an insect known for its unique physical appearance and predatory behavior.
The Perspective House exhibit will demonstrate the sculpture based on illusion and confusing our, otherwise normal, eyes. It will be amazed to see a half-constructed house appear to be a complete 3D structure –a perfect example of a wonder when art meets science.
Nehru Science Centre has 20 different facilities and galleries for understanding and appreciation of science by the visitors. The Science Centre remains open for people on all days except Holi & Diwali from 9.30 am to 6.00 pm. You can book your tickets online also from our website. We are also available on all the social media platforms. You can join us on these platforms for faster access of details of programmes and facilities. For details, please visit our website https://www.nehrusciencecentre.gov.in/ or contact information counter at 022-24920482.
PIB Headquarters
Chennai Customs facilitates #VandeBharatMission flight from Malaysia on Monday
Chennai Customs has facilitated smooth clearance for the passengers of the fourth repatriation flight as part of the Vande Bharat Mission at Chennai Airport on 11th May. The flight Air India Express IX 687 from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia landed at 11:10 PM on Monday at Chennai International Airport.
The evacuation flight carried 180 passengers including 58 men and 119 women and 03 Infants. There were three passengers on wheelchair. All passengers were facilitated for smooth customs clearance.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic situation, all the international flights have been grounded since 22nd March. The Government of India’s repatriation plan Vande Bharat Mission has started to bring the Indian nationals stranded abroad due to Covid-19 from 7th May to 13th May. Under this mission 11 flights are scheduled to arrive at Chennai.
Under the Vande Bharat Mission, in next few many days, flights from Bangladesh, USA, UK, Oman, Kuala Lumpur and Philippines are scheduled to arrive at the Chennai International Airport.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Government invites R&D proposals on Critical Components and Innovations in Oxygen Concentrators
A new initiative by the government will soon catalyze R&D on critical components and innovations concerning Make-in-India Oxygen Concentrators to meet the emerging healthcare requirements to combat the COVID 19 epidemic.
Despite being on the list of essential medicines prescribed by the World Health Organization, oxygen remains a precious commodity, especially under conditions of medical distress.
This initiative involves invitation for proposals from scientists from educational and research institutes/ laboratories, universities, and medical institutions, start-ups, and industries by Science and Engineering Research Board , a statutory body of Department of Science and Technology , to investigate and innovate in the development of  oxygen concentrators. They will be in domains of alternate materials and mechanisms for oxygen separation; design, development, and manufacturing of critical components such as valves and oil-less compressors, design improvements for greater performance, AI-optimized oxygen flow devices, and oxygen-level IoT sensors, and so on.
The scientists from industries should align with investigators from academic / research institutions as co-investigators. Funding for industry partner, with respect to R&D leading to commercialization, will be forwarded to Technology Development Board , DST, for their consideration. The duration of the project is one year.
This will help meet the need of indigenous concentrators working on newer approach of providing supplementary oxygen in hospital wards and ICUs and as an inexpensive therapeutic oxygen source for patients under home isolation.
Proposals should be submitted in the prescribed format through SERB online portal www.serbonline.in on or before 15th June 2021.
Ministry of External Affairs
Cabinet approves Opening of 3 Indian Missions in Estonia, Paraguay and Dominican Republic
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today approved the opening of 3 Indian Missions in Estonia, Paraguay and Dominican Republic in 2021.
Implementation Strategy:
Opening of Indian Missions in these countries will help expand India’s diplomatic footprint, deepen political relations, enable growth of bilateral trade, investment and economic engagements, facilitate stronger people-to-people contacts, bolster political outreach in multilateral fora and help garner support for India’s foreign policy objectives.
Indian mission in these countries will also better assist the Indian community and protect their interests.
Objective:
The objective of our foreign policy is to build a conducive environment for India’s growth and development through partnerships with friendly countries. There are presently Missions and Posts across the world which serve as conduits of our relations with partner countries.
The decision to open these 3 new Indian Missions is a forward-looking step in pursuit of our national priority of growth and development or ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’. Enhancement of India’s diplomatic presence will, inter-alia, provide market access for Indian companies and bolster Indian exports of goods and services. This would have a direct impact in augmenting domestic production and employment in line with our goal of a self-reliant India or ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.